Spoiler: The winner isn’t who you think; and no, it’s not the Steam Deck.
By 2025, handheld gaming PCs have split into three factions: Team AMD (Z1/Z2 Extreme), Team Intel (Core Ultra 7), and Team Nintendo (still selling Switches like hotcakes). But when the Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Intel Core Ultra 7 258V go head-to-head, the results are wildly unpredictable; especially when Intel’s underdog iGPU starts punching above its weight.
ETA Prime pits three flagship handhelds against each other:
- ROG Ally X (Ryzen Z1 Extreme): The OG with 24GB RAM and RDNA 3.
- MSI Claw A8 (Ryzen Z2 Extreme): Zen 5 hybrid cores + RDNA 3.5.
- MSI Claw 8 AI (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V): Arc Xe2 iGPU with driver magic.
Think of this as Ferrari (Z2) vs. Tesla (Intel); except the Tesla just got a nitro boost. Watch the Z2 Extreme flex in Cyberpunk 2077; then get humbled by Intel’s driver updates. Skip to 4:41 for the shocker.
Handheld CPU Battle (ETA PRIME)
Intel’s Arc Xe2 iGPU was a meme at launch; but 2025’s drivers doubled its performance:
| Game (1080p) | Ryzen Z1 Extreme | Ryzen Z2 Extreme | Intel Core Ultra 7 |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 41 FPS | 46 FPS | 54 FPS |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 59 FPS | 64 FPS | 65 FPS |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 76 FPS | 80 FPS | 83 FPS |
Fun fact: Intel’s iGPU now outperforms AMD’s RDNA 3.5 in synthetics; but real-world gains are narrower.
The Z2 Extreme’s Zen 5 + Zen 5C cores sound futuristic; but benchmarks reveal quirks:
- 17W TDP: Intel wins; single-core dominance.
- 25W TDP: AMD claws back; multi-threaded wins.
- Battery life: Intel’s efficiency cores shine at lower wattages.
The Z2 is technically faster; but Intel’s driver hustle makes it the value pick. See the ROG Ally X battle the Switch OLED in Ghost of Tsushima; then weep as the Switch’s battery laughs.
ROG Ally X vs. Switch OLED (Mrwhosetheboss)
The Z2 Extreme is technically the best; but only if you ignore:
- Price: Intel devices are $100–$200 cheaper.
- Game support: AMD still rules emulation; Switch, PS3.
- Heat: The Z2 runs hotter at 25W.
Should you upgrade from a Z1 Extreme? Only if you need 10% more FPS. Is Intel finally viable for handhelds? Yes; but avoid Starfield—it still runs like a slideshow.
The Switch 2 looms; will it obliterate Windows handhelds? Skip to 10:05 for Nate Joe’s hot take.
Handheld Console Wars (Average Joe Thoughts)
The Ryzen Z2 Extreme is the technical winner; but Intel’s Core Ultra 7 is the people’s champ offering 90% of the performance for less cash. Meanwhile, the Switch OLED still dominates in battery life and plug-and-play ease.
Verdict:
- Buy Intel for value.
- Buy AMD for future-proofing.
- Buy a Switch if you hate charging.
